For 2021, University of Phoenix resumed their Memorial Day tradition of honoring troops who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Services. The commemoration space was opened to the public from May 25-27 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Public observances were unable to move forward in 2020 due to restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, local volunteers were able to participate for Memorial Day in 2021 thanks to new social distancing guidelines. The University’s efforts to safely commemorate soldiers who have died in service culminated in the display of 10,000 flags placed to spell out the phrase “Always Remember” on the campus lawn. On May 28, volunteers removed the flags from the display and delivered them to military cemeteries across Arizona.
Thanking the military for their service, especially those who have died in the line of duty, is critical to University of Phoenix. According to Brian Ishmael, vice president of the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs and Strategic Government Partnerships for University of Phoenix, “It’s just vitally important that we always remember the sacrifices members of our Armed Services have made for American freedom.” Ishmael also expressed his gratitude on behalf of University of Phoenix, affirming that the University will “never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom…they did that willingly, and we want to make sure their legacy lives on.”
In addition to the annual memorial, University of Phoenix offers unparalleled support to past, present and future service men and women all year round. The University offers discounted tuition rates to active duty military members. Both veterans and those in active service can also take advantage of the University’s flexible learning framework via a remote education. This enables them to earn an education on their chosen terms with reduced conflict with existing schedules and obligations.
The University’s Veterans Resource Center also assists Armed Services alumni with understanding and taking advantage of their available military benefits. The Center supports veterans by helping them navigate G.I. Bill, post-G.I. Bill and other federal legislation. University of Phoenix prides itself on providing an administration that empowers veterans with resources and information to help them discover ways to mitigate education costs as applicable.
Partnership with Patriotic Productions
In conjunction with the 10,000 flag display, University of Phoenix also hosted a traveling memorial to honor military veterans who lost their lives since September 11, 2001. Designed by Patriotic Productions, the Remembering Our Fallen Tribute Towers display is a national traveling memorial of the United States’s fallen soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan following the September 11 terrorist attacks. The memorial includes over 30 tower displays, each of which is 10 feet in height and five feet in width. Every tower showcases thousands of images featuring fallen soldiers who gave their lives in service with the U.S. Armed Forces.
Ishmael announced, “University of Phoenix is honored to be the first location in Arizona to display the Tribute Towers.” He further explained that “the tribute will be displayed ahead of Memorial Day to put names and faces to those we lost and remind us of the true meaning of the holiday.
After being unable to publicly commemorate our fallen heroes in 2020, hosting the Tribute Towers made this year’s Memorial Day observance all the more special to the entire University of Phoenix community. To learn more about the memorial,
About University of Phoenix
In 1976, Dr. John Sperling started University of Phoenix to provide adults with more options to achieve higher learning. Since its inception, the University has remained committed to addressing the unique needs of adult learners. University of Phoenix fulfills this mission through a robust online learning program where students can complete coursework on the terms they choose in order to accommodate their other personal and professional obligations.
University of Phoenix offers hundreds of certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs that can align with over 300 professional occupations. Popular areas of study include business, technology and healthcare. Students can meet their degree or certificate program requirements online or at one of many physical locations across the U.S. To learn more, visit www.phoenix.edu.